Is using Garrick as a main spellcaster until I get to satisfactory level to dual Imoen a good or bad idea? I know it may be fun, but there is no fun when ur a** is being whopped every time because of lack of spells that could turn the tide of battle,,,

Garrick is, in just about every way, inadequate. Bards are generally useless until you reach Shadows of Amn, and even then they leave a lot to be desired. Do bear in mind that a mage or bard isn't even necessary in BG I - spellcasters have so few spells at their disposal in this game that I'm not entirely sure what you mean by a 'lack of spells that could turn the tide of battle...' [img]smile.gif[/img]

Personally, I'd leave Imoen as a thief - you're going to need a decent rogue later on when you reach Durlag's Tower anyway, and perhaps pick up Dynaheir or Xan if you really want a spellcaster [img]smile.gif[/img]

Being a mage/thief is a pretty bad idea I understand? Yeaa those useless [img]graemlins/1pissed.gif[/img] 7 hitpoints really annoy me. Die lots of times [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img]

Hmm seems like I have to start a new game [img]graemlins/awcrap.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/verysad.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/crying.gif[/img]

Seems like I'm only good as a fighter (berserker) [img]graemlins/braveheart.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/ninja.gif[/img]

But wouldn't a fireball at powerful enemies in BG1 be a nice incentive? It may save a few battles that take a major hassle. Or so I have found.

I'm shocked that anyone could say that mages are useless! and preists!! whoes going to heal u, or add a few extra damage on the enemie or entrap them altogether. i hang my head in disbelief.

Well it wasn't what I meant Merlin Al'Thor. Just that I'm not very good as a mage early in the game. Only a few spells and 7 hitpoints. It hurts when ranged monsters show up [img]graemlins/whipitgood.gif[/img]

Spellcasters are, in general, weak in BG1, especially Mages. You begin to start thinking, "Gee, I wish I had a Mage, so I could cast....." at around Chapter 4 or so. Before that, your best best is 4 Fighters, a Priest, and a Thief. So, you could make a Brawling-style party until you're around Level 5 or so, then go pick up one (or more) of the Mages, who will be at approximately your level, so you can use the good spells right away. Or, you could take Imoen, get her to 100% in Traps as quickly as you can, run around and do all the Trap-heavy areas, and then Dual her, safe in the knowledge that by the time you need to disarm Traps again, she'll have her Theif half back.

Yes, Mage/Thieves have poor hitpoints, but not as poor as straight Mages! And their hitpoints and AC become irrelevant, especially in BG2, where a Wizard's defensive spells can make him invincible. (Protection from Magic Weapons, anyone?)

Actually, I've always found Bards to be invaluable... They can cover several areas in several classes to round out a party...

Maybe they are better in BG2 but in BG1 I am not impressed with the bard character

I have never ever had a bard in my parties. Found no use. Bards seemed very weak both in BGI and BGII in my opinion. Maybe it was just me who never saw the potential? Tried one early in BGI but he seemd useless. Couldn't use his song for anything. As said it might just be me [img]graemlins/angel.gif[/img] .

I found that Mages are a great help. In my second game I two Edwin, and a fighter/illusionist that I created. It was a really strong party that made the tower a cake. I had two other fighters Sha-Teal and that regenerating dude, as well I had Viconia, and the weakest member was that Cleric/Thief I replaced with Safana. Should have kept Safana but Tiax amused me.

As far as mages are concerned

1. Fireball - "A spider Eak send a fireball over there. Good work looks like there were five and now they are toast"
2. Protection from Fire - Useful in several areas of the Tower making your entire party invincible in those areas.
3. Detect Invisibility - Useful in several places of the game
4. Magic Missle - Always Useful
5. Just about any spell that gives your party a boost haste, protection from anything.
6. Entangle spells like web
7. There are some really good damage spells like Skull Trap.
8. The ability to summon creaturs is also a bonus.

And Mages are useless you say.

Listen to Pritchke, he's one mean SOB. He doesn't use the pause button 'cause he don't need it! :D

Oh yeah, mages are good.

[ 09-18-2002, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: Lord Brass ]

Thank's for the conmpliment but that was when I played IWD the first time. I actually played BG after IWD so whan playing BG I kind of became more like one of those pansy elves in the forest. Now that I know about the pause function it is almost impossible not to use it.

No! NO! He's fallen by the way! The great leader has sold out and abandoned the (very unpleasant) joys of ignoring the pause button.

Bards are a peculiar lot. With HoW installed for IWD, Bards really come into their own. One spell in particular really makes it for them: 'Tenser's Transformation', as their ability to gain skills in any weapon make them far more effective fighters then similarly converted mages. Also, HoW introduced different bardic songs, one of which is fantastic as you could heal the entire party over a (relatively) short period of time.

I take it then that BG:SoA/ToB doesn't have such delicious niceties? That would be a real shame, as Bards should be fantastic atmosphere characters. I wouldn't like to take it on board 'cause I thought that nobody else bothered.

<font color="palegreen">Personally, I can't imagine going through BG WITHOUT Dynaheir!!!

Being a specialist means she gets more spells than regular mages...and since she's an invoker.....that means she gets MORE Magic Missiles, Fireballs, Lightning Bolts, and all those other handy-dandy high damage spells.

On my first trip through, I DID take Garrick until I found Dynaheir. His spellcasting wasn't great, but it did make a nice addition to some battles. Xan was just toooooo weak for me and I just despise Edwin on general principle. Also, I never was a big fan of "enchantment" type spells. I'd rather BLAST my enemies than control them. So I don't have any use for Edwin, other than killing him for some quick xp.

The one major benefit I found with Garrick was his Lore ability. OK, so he can't Identify everything, but it sure saved some gp to have him ID the more mundane items. Still, you need a pure mage, especially as the encounters become more difficult and - as I already said - NOBODY tops Dynaheir IMO.</font>

[ 09-19-2002, 03:43 AM: Message edited by: Cerek the Barbaric ]